HAL JORDAN AND THE GREEN LANTERN CORPS #8 by Robert Venditti and Ethan Van Sciver

Story

Characterization

Art

Summary

HAL JORDAN AND THE GREEN LANTERN CORPS #8 begins a new story arc for the series. With a lot of distrust for the remaining members of the Sinestro Corp, the Green Lanterns try to rebuild their status as the same cops of the universe. John Stewart is the highlight of the issue along with a great look for Starro.

82 %

Happy Reunion?

The Green Lantern Corps is officially back from the dead in HAL JORDAN AND THE GREEN LANTERN CORPS #8. The Green Lanterns have been waiting in the shadows since their numbers have dwindled as a result of their return to the universe. Now, they’re ready to protect the universe once again in a new story arc by writer Robert Venditti and artist Ethan Van Sciver.

Previously in HAL JORDAN AND THE GREEN LANTERN CORPS #7, Hal Jordan went one-on-one with Sinestro in a showdown for the universe. As a final act to destroy Sinestro, Jordan unleashed all the power he could and self-destructed in a large green explosion. Meanwhile, Soranik was able to rescue Guy Gardner and the other prisoners fueling Sinestro’s fear engine. As they fled the exploding Warworld, they ran into the Green Lantern Corps.

Venditti begins the new story arc with distrust between the Green Lantern Corps and the Sinestro Corps members that fled with Soranik. With the Green Lantern Corps arriving too late to help Hal Jordan, Soranik explains what happened on Warworld as the Green Lanterns work on rebuilding their communications system. They receive a distress call and leave to investigate, while John Stewart orders Soranik to stay behind, still not ready to trust her. The distrust for the Sinestro Corps seems natural for the Green Lanterns, since they have been fighting against each other ever since the Sinestro Corps formed. The yellow ring wielders have also killed so many Green Lanterns that I do not blame them for being cautious of their intentions.

Venditti also starts HAL JORDAN AND THE GREEN LANTERN CORPS #8 off with Hal Jordan’s ring searching for a new replacement as every power ring does when their wielder dies. However, there is an error when the ring attempts to look for a replacement and then tries to look for Hal Jordan. This short storyline is surely attention grabbing with the possibility of Jordan still alive somewhere in the vast universe. Is Hal Jordan alive or is the ring just defective? These are all questions that Vendetti will have to answer, and questions that have me very excited for the coming issues.

John Stewart is stepping up his game for the Green Lantern Corps. So much so that I wouldn’t be surprised if the title changes to John Stewart and the Green Lantern Corps. He’s the perfect leader for the group right now. There are fewer Green Lanterns than there have ever been before, and he is making sure they are running like a machine. Stewart is also able to both protect his group by being wary of the Sinestro Corps and organize the Green Lantern Corp into the space cops that they were meant to be, prioritizing and helping others in the universe.

The art in HAL JORDAN AND THE GREEN LANTERN CORPS #8 is fantastic to see. Ethan Van Sciver has been great throughout the series, and it continues in this issue. In particular, his work on Starro is impressive. I have never been a fan of the villain, and it’s hard to make a giant starfish look menacing, but Van Sciver makes it happen. The sheer size and detail of Starro gives the villain a look that convincingly frightens an entire planet. Not only that but the coloring is also beautifully done in this issue. There is a nice mix of green blurred as the Green lantern Corps fly at top speed as well as a vibrant purple/blue sky of the planet Xudar that is a thing of pure beauty.

HAL JORDAN AND THE GREEN LANTERN CORPS #8 starts off the new story arc on the right foot. Going forward, it will be interesting to see whether or not the remaining Sinestro Corps members will be able to work alongside the Green Lanterns, and if the Green Lanterns will trust them. It’ll also be interesting to find out if Hal Jordan is still alive (I assume so, since characters never really seem to die forever). Basically, there is so much going on in this new story arc, and I cannot wait for the next issue to get some answers!